The Evolution of Sports Betting in Canada: Popular Key Insights

Gambling in Canada has a long history of over 600 years. When the English and French colonized the country, all forms of gambling were outlawed except for horse racing. In 1985, gambling establishments could apply for a license, and quickly after that, online gambling gained popularity. Some initial operators are now categorized as the best sports betting sites in Canada today.

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The Rise of Sports Betting in Canada

Up to 1969, all forms of gambling in Canada were prohibited unless specifically stated by the government. This is the result of the Criminal Code of Canada, which was enacted in 1892. Only bets on horse races were allowed. When the legislation changes were made in 1969, provincial lotteries were allowed to operate under the rule that the proceeds go to charity.

Since it was the only legal form of sports gambling throughout the years, horse racing became an integral part of Canadian culture. Two of the most popular race tracks in the country, Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto and Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver, became the mecca for sports betting enthusiasts.

With numerous legislation changes to the Criminal Code, nowadays online sports betting is extremely popular among Canadians. Now there are various platform that are licensed and regulated by the government and are safe to join. You can check out the best online sportsbooks in CA ranked by bestcasinositescanada.com.

Horse Racing

Horse racing has long been the only legal sport on which to place a wager. Initially, the only way to place a wager was through a pari-mutuel betting system. In this system, all of the bets are pooled together, and the odds are determined depending on the sum of the pot.

While this system allowed a more regulated betting process and fair payouts, it did not offer any flexibility to the players. Sports betting enthusiasts craved more options and something to diversify the experience, so sports lotteries were allowed. Both horse betting and lotteries were integral parts of the industry's development.

Players also did their best to develop different strategies to improve their odds of winning. In the end, information is your best weapon when making your wagers. You should get familiar with and learn how to build winning streaks with strategic horse racing picks.

Top horse racing tracks in Canada:

Woodbine Racetrack, Toronto, Ontario

Hastings Park Racecourse, Vancouver, British Columbia

Assiniboia Downs Horse Racing Track, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Casino Ajax, Ajax, Ontario

Red Shores Racetrack & Casino, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Rideau Carleton Raceway & Casino, Ottawa, Ontario

Woodbine Mohawk Park, Milton, Ontario

Elbow River Casino, Calgary, Alberta

Ajax Downs Racetrack, Ajax, Ontario

Fort Erie Race Track, Fort Erie, Ontario

The Growth of the Sports Betting Market

Thanks to the success of horse betting and provincial lotteries, the Canadian government realized that sports betting had great potential for additional revenue. This led to the introduction of sports lotteries, where citizens could bet on various sporting events, such as football, basketball, hockey, and more.

Even though some legal sports betting options were available to Canadians, an underground betting market was gaining popularity. It mainly comprised offshore operators and illegal bookmakers that attracted players with better odds, more betting options, and promotions. Some of these brands later applied for a legal license, and are now some of the best sports betting sites in Canada.

On the Way for Legal Gambling

It is safe to say that horse racing paved the way for the future development of gambling in Canada. Due to its popularity, the sports betting industry expanded generally, and sports lotteries followed. Due to the rise of online casinos in the 90s, the Canadian government created the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in 1996 as a licensing and regulatory entity for online gambling.

1892, The Criminal Code of Canada - All forms of gambling are made illegal in Canada except for horse racing.

1969, Amendments to the Criminal Code – The Canadian government made changes to the Criminal Code to allow provincial lotteries to operate with proceeds going to charity.

1985, Amendments to the Criminal Code – Control over gambling was passed to individual provinces. Licenses could now be issued to operators.

1996 – The Kahnawake Gaming Commission is created. It regulates and licenses online gambling sites.

2021, Bill C-218 – The Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act is passed, allowing players to place wagers on single-event sports without needing a parlay bet slip.

Due to the underground betting market, where online platforms thrived, the government realized that a serious push towards improving gambling laws was necessary. This way, they could regulate the market, not miss out on any potential revenue, and provide Canadians with a safer betting experience. This is where the Kahnawake Gaming Commission did the heavy lifting.

In 2021, Canadian lawmakers passed Bill C-218. That bill amended the old Criminal Code to legalize single-event sports betting in the country. Up to that point, players had to combine multiple wagers into a parlay betting slip. The bill is also known as the Safe and Regulated Sports Betting Act.

The Advent and Blossoming of Online Sports Betting

In the 2000s, online gambling boomed in Canada. This was due to its broader appeal thanks to its easy access and portability. This era gave rise to some of the top online gambling platforms. Later, when the government started issuing licenses and regulating these operators, more and more players joined them.

While nothing can really compare to the excitement you get and the experience of betting at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, online betting operators have other ways to attract players. This was achieved with a wide range of lucrative bonus offers, loyalty programs, better betting options, live betting, live streaming of events, and more.

Mobile Sports Betting

Online sports betting took off when it became standard for brands to have mobile apps. Having a full-fledged online sportsbook that is easy to use in your pocket really improved accessibility. Some groups of players even focus on using a mobile app, as they enjoy the experience better. We have even done the research and discovered which betting apps NFL fans use the most.

Conclusion

Canada has a long history in sports betting, dating back to the indigenous people. When the country was colonized, all forms of gambling, except for horse racing, were banned. This made betting on horses the most popular and, for a long time, the only option for CA players. This did not hinder the gambling industry's development in the country.

With recent changes to legislation, the underground sports wagering market prior to that, and the boom of online betting, Canada is currently one of the best countries to be in if you are a sports enthusiast. Players can legally join some of the best betting sites in Canada and find their favorite sporting events to wager on.

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!